Leading independent design company Paul Smith turns 54 this year. Championing positivity, curiosity, and creativity in every design, whether it’s a sunglass, a spectacle, a shirt, shop, or special collaboration, this British company has a global outlook.
What began in in 1970, in a cramped three metre square space in Nottingham, England, has grown to 130 shops in over 60 countries. And the Paul Smith presence continues to expand.

Paul Smith the brand, is known for its witty outlook and playful purpose – the idea that clothes must be a source of joy and that people shouldn’t take their wardrobe too seriously.

Conceived by the quirky designer and master shopkeeper (now Sir) Paul Smith (pictured above), the company remains proudly independent with Sir Paul maintaining the majority shareholding.

Paul Smith’s headquarters are a stone’s throw from the original store in Covent Garden, and it’s from here – on the top floor of the building – that every Paul Smith product is designed.

“For over 50 years, our design philosophy has remained ‘classic with a twist’, with every piece injected with Paul’s signature spirit. This is what the Paul Smith customer is expecting,” a company spokesperson told mivision.

Sir Paul’s view, that ‘you can find inspiration in everything’, remains the design team’s guiding principle, ensuring every product created is eclectic, with references drawn from art, music, and everyday life.

LOOKING GOOD 

Spectacles have been a staple piece of the brand’s DNA since the launch of Paul Smith’s accessories line. Crafted with precision, the collections pay homage to the brand’s British history with each frame taking its name from the famous streets of London. Evidencing the brand’s contemporary styling and strong attention to detail, frame names are found on the inner temples, printed in Sir Paul’s handwriting.

Stripes – also synonymous with Paul Smith designs since the 1970s – remain a feature in Paul Smith eyewear collections. The Artist stripe, first introduced in 2016, which has uniform bands that are wider than the Signature stripe, is inspired by the colour combinations of expressionist painting and the palette of a painter’s studio.

ITALIAN MADE

Paul Smith eyewear is made in Italy from “the highest-quality materials” and with “respect for traditional craftsmanship”. Every frame is prescription-ready, comfortable to wear and popping with unexpected details in line with Paul Smith’s design philosophy: ‘classic with a twist’.

Contact: Marchon (AUS) 1800 251 025 or (NZ) 1800 141 444